Multiple stationary radio frequency (RF) identification (RFID) readers are deployed overhead in a venue and are operated to read RFID tags. A mobile RFID reader is also operated in the venue for reading the RFID tags. The mobile reader is located in the venue, and a host server synchronizes the operation of the stationary readers with the operation of the mobile reader, determines when the mobile reader is in substantially simultaneous, synchronous operation with the stationary readers, and responsively modifies the operation of the stationary and mobile RFID readers to optimize the RFID reading performance.
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1. An arrangement for optimizing radio frequency (RF) identification (RFID) reading performance when reading RFID tags associated with products in a venue, the arrangement comprising: a sensing system including a plurality of stationary RFID readers deployed overhead in the venue, and operative for reading the RFID tags over a plurality of RF reading zones in the venue in a stationary reading mode of operation; at least one mobile RFID reader operated by a user in the venue, and operative for reading the RFID tags in at least one of the reading zones in a mobile reading mode of operation; a locationing system for locating the at least one mobile RFID reader in the at least one reading zone in the venue; and a host server operatively connected to the stationary and mobile RFID readers and to the locationing system, and operative for synchronizing the operation of the stationary RFID readers with the operation of the at least one located mobile RFID reader, for determining when the at least one located mobile RFID reader is in substantially simultaneous, synchronous operation with the stationary RFID readers, and for modifying at least one of the modes of operation in response to the determination of the substantially simultaneous, synchronous operation to optimize the reading performance by the stationary and mobile RFID readers.
A system optimizes RFID reading in a venue. Overhead stationary RFID readers read tags on products within defined RF zones. A user operates a mobile RFID reader within the venue. A locationing system tracks the mobile reader's position within those zones. A central server synchronizes the stationary and mobile readers' operation, detecting when they operate simultaneously in the same zone. The server then adjusts the readers' operating modes (e.g., transmit power, frequency) to improve overall RFID reading performance by both the stationary and mobile readers.
2. The arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the at least one mobile located RFID reader has an actuator for initiating reading when actuated; and wherein the host server is operative for detecting actuation of the actuator, and for modifying the at least one of the modes of operation in response to detecting the actuation.
The RFID optimization system includes a mobile RFID reader with a physical trigger (actuator) that the user presses to start a read. The central server monitors for this trigger activation. When the trigger is pressed, the server adjusts the operating modes of the stationary and/or mobile readers to improve reading performance. This adjustment happens specifically in response to the mobile reader being actively used, allowing for targeted optimization.
3. The arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the host server is operative for replacing data read from the RFID tags by the stationary RFID readers with data read from the RFID tags by the at least one located mobile RFID reader.
The RFID optimization system replaces data read by the overhead stationary RFID readers with data from the mobile RFID reader. When the mobile reader and stationary readers simultaneously read the same tag, the data obtained by the mobile reader (which may be more accurate or complete due to its proximity to the tag) is used in place of the data read by the stationary readers. This ensures the most reliable RFID data is captured.
4. The arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the host server is operative for adding data read from the RFID tags by the at least one located mobile RFID reader to data read from the RFID tags by the stationary RFID readers.
The RFID optimization system combines RFID data read by the stationary overhead readers with the RFID data read by the mobile reader. When the mobile reader and stationary readers simultaneously read the same RFID tag, the data collected by the mobile reader is added to (or complements) the data already collected by the stationary readers. This allows for a richer set of data associated with each RFID tag.
5. The arrangement of claim 1 , wherein each stationary RFID reader includes a plurality of RF antenna elements for reading the tags in the stationary reading mode of operation with a set of reading parameters that include a dwell time of an RF interrogation signal transmitted by the RF antenna elements, a transmit power at which the RF interrogation signal is transmitted by the RF antenna elements, a transmit direction along which the RF interrogation signal is transmitted by the RF antenna elements, and a firing order of a plurality of RF interrogation signals that are transmitted by the RF antenna elements; and wherein the host server modifies the at least one mode of operation by changing at least one of the reading parameters.
Each overhead stationary RFID reader uses multiple RF antennas to read tags. These antennas have adjustable reading parameters including: the duration (dwell time) of the RF signal, the transmit power, the signal direction, and the order in which the antennas transmit. The server adjusts these parameters to optimize reading performance. Specifically, the server changes at least one of these parameters (dwell time, power, direction, antenna firing order) of the stationary readers, to modify at least one of the modes of operation in response to the determination of the substantially simultaneous, synchronous operation to optimize the reading performance by the stationary and mobile RFID readers.
6. The arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the RFID tags are passive tags, and wherein the stationary RFID readers emit RF interrogation signals that energize and partially power the RFID passive tags, and wherein the at least one located mobile RFID reader also emits an RF interrogation signal that energizes and more fully powers the RFID passive tags in the at least one reading zone, and wherein the host server controls the stationary and mobile RFID readers to successfully read the RFID passive tags that are powered by the combined operation of the stationary and mobile RFID readers.
The RFID tags are passive, meaning they need external power to operate. The overhead stationary RFID readers emit RF signals that provide some power to these tags. The mobile reader also emits an RF signal, providing more power to the tags in its vicinity. The server manages both the stationary and mobile readers to read the tags efficiently, leveraging the combined power from both to successfully read the passive RFID tags that are powered by the combined operation of the stationary and mobile RFID readers.
7. The arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the at least one mobile RFID reader includes an RF receiver, and wherein the locationing system is one of an ultrasonic locationing system, a Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) system, and a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) system, each operative for locating the at least one mobile RFID reader by transmitting an RF signal to the RF receiver on the at least one mobile RFID reader.
The mobile RFID reader includes an RF receiver. The location system can be ultrasonic, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). These locationing systems locate the mobile RFID reader by transmitting an RF signal to the RF receiver on the mobile RFID reader. The RF receiver on the mobile reader receives the signal from the locationing system which allows its position to be determined.
8. The arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the locationing system is a video system operative for locating the at least one mobile RFID reader by capturing an image of the at least one mobile RFID reader.
The location system uses a video camera to locate the mobile RFID reader. The video system analyzes images captured by the camera to identify and track the position of the mobile RFID reader within the venue.
9. The arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the host server synchronizes the operation of the stationary RFID readers with the operation of the at least one located mobile RFID reader on a time-shared basis.
The server coordinates the stationary overhead RFID readers and the mobile RFID reader on a time-shared basis. This means the server alternates between activating the stationary readers and the mobile reader, instead of having them operate continuously at the same time, to avoid interference or optimize power consumption.
10. A method of optimizing radio frequency (RF) identification (RFID) reading performance when reading RFID tags associated with products in a venue, the method comprising: deploying a plurality of stationary RFID readers overhead in the venue; reading the RFID tags over a plurality of RF reading zones in the venue in a stationary reading mode of operation of the stationary RFID readers; operating at least one mobile RFID reader by a user in the venue; reading the RFID tags in at least one of the reading zones in a mobile reading mode of operation of the at least one mobile RFID reader; locating the at least one mobile RFID reader in the at least one reading zone in the venue; synchronizing the operation of the stationary RFID readers with the operation of the at least one located mobile RFID reader; determining when the at least one located mobile RFID reader is in substantially simultaneous, synchronous operation with the stationary RFID readers; and modifying at least one of the modes of operation in response to the determining of the substantially simultaneous, synchronous operation to optimize the reading performance by the stationary and mobile RFID readers.
A method optimizes RFID reading performance in a venue. Overhead stationary RFID readers are deployed to read tags on products within defined RF zones. A user operates a mobile RFID reader. The mobile reader reads tags within the zones. A location system tracks the mobile reader's location. The server synchronizes the stationary and mobile readers' operation, detecting when they operate simultaneously in the same zone. The server then adjusts the readers' operating modes to improve reading performance.
11. The method of claim 10 , and initiating reading of the at least one located mobile RFID reader by actuating an actuator, detecting actuation of the actuator, and modifying the at least one of the modes of operation in response to detecting the actuation.
The RFID optimization method includes initiating reading of the mobile RFID reader by actuating an actuator, detecting actuation of the actuator, and modifying at least one of the modes of operation in response to detecting the actuation. This means that a button or trigger on the mobile RFID reader is pressed to start a read, which is detected by the system and used to trigger adjustments to the system's operation for optimization purposes.
12. The method of claim 10 , and replacing data read from the RFID tags by the stationary RFID readers with data read from the RFID tags by the at least one located mobile RFID reader.
The RFID optimization method includes replacing data read from the RFID tags by the stationary RFID readers with data read from the RFID tags by the at least one located mobile RFID reader. This means that if both stationary and mobile readers read the same tag, the mobile reader's data is preferred and overwrites the stationary reader's data, ensuring the most accurate information is used.
13. The method of claim 10 , and adding data read from the RFID tags by the at least one located mobile RFID reader to data read from the RFID tags by the stationary RFID readers.
The RFID optimization method includes adding data read from the RFID tags by the mobile RFID reader to data read from the RFID tags by the stationary RFID readers. This complements the data already read from the RFID tags by the stationary RFID readers.
14. The method of claim 10 , and configuring each stationary RFID reader to include a plurality of RF antenna elements for reading the tags in the stationary reading mode of operation with a set of reading parameters that include a dwell time of an RF interrogation signal transmitted by the RF antenna elements, a transmit power at which the RF interrogation signal is transmitted by the RF antenna elements, a transmit direction along which the RF interrogation signal is transmitted by the RF antenna elements, and a firing order of a plurality of RF interrogation signals that are transmitted by the RF antenna elements; and wherein the modifying of the at least one mode of operation is performed by changing at least one of the reading parameters.
The RFID optimization method configures each stationary RFID reader to include multiple RF antennas with adjustable parameters like signal duration (dwell time), transmit power, direction, and antenna firing order. The method modifies operation by changing these parameters. The changing of these parameters of the stationary readers, is in response to the determination of the substantially simultaneous, synchronous operation to optimize the reading performance by the stationary and mobile RFID readers.
15. The method of claim 10 , and configuring the RFID tags as passive tags, and emitting from the stationary RFID readers a plurality of RF interrogation signals that energize and partially power the RFID passive tags, and emitting from the at least one located mobile RFID reader an RF interrogation signal that energizes and more fully powers the RFID passive tags in the at least one reading zone, and controlling the stationary and mobile RFID readers to successfully read the RFID passive tags that are powered by the combined operation of the stationary and mobile RFID readers.
The RFID optimization method uses passive RFID tags that require external power. The stationary readers emit RF signals to partially power the tags. The mobile reader emits a stronger RF signal to more fully power the tags in its zone. The method controls both readers to read the tags effectively, using combined power. The method controls the stationary and mobile RFID readers to successfully read the RFID passive tags that are powered by the combined operation of the stationary and mobile RFID readers.
16. The method of claim 10 , and configuring the at least one mobile RFID reader with an RF receiver, and wherein the locating of the at least one mobile RFID reader is performed by transmitting an RF signal to the RF receiver on the at least one mobile RFID reader.
The RFID optimization method configures the mobile RFID reader with an RF receiver. The location system transmits an RF signal to this receiver to locate the mobile reader. Specifically, the locationing of the at least one mobile RFID reader is performed by transmitting an RF signal to the RF receiver on the at least one mobile RFID reader, thereby enabling the tracking of the reader's position.
17. The method of claim 10 , wherein the locating of the at least one mobile RFID reader is performed by capturing an image of the at least one mobile RFID reader.
The RFID optimization method uses a video camera to locate the mobile RFID reader. The location of the mobile RFID reader is determined by capturing an image of the mobile RFID reader and processing the image to identify the location of the mobile RFID reader within the venue.
18. The method of claim 10 , wherein the synchronizing of the operation of the stationary RFID readers with the operation of the at least one located mobile RFID reader is performed on a time-shared basis.
The RFID optimization method synchronizes the stationary and mobile readers on a time-shared basis. This means that the operation of the stationary RFID readers with the operation of the at least one located mobile RFID reader is performed on a time-shared basis. The readers are activated at different times to avoid interference or optimize power usage.
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June 7, 2016
October 17, 2017
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